Heat want more scoring from Norris Cole

MIAMI — — Heat guard Norris Cole watches film of his games on almost a daily basis.

It allows opportunities to detect any problems. After a summer of examining video, he came to one conclusion.

The part of his game that needs most development is being more aggressive offensively. Cole said Monday he wants to become more of a scoring threat.

"We had so many playmakers [last year] that there were times I deferred to let those guys make the plays," Cole said. "They were great at it…. But I also I saw [plays] where I could have been more aggressive to attack."

With LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in the lineup, Cole had few chances to shine on the offensive end. He expects that to change now that James is gone. The Heat will likely have more balanced scoring after relying so heavily on James the past four seasons.

"I wasn't really asked to do that much offensively," Cole said. "The talent level that we had around us and being a young player, you just want to play your role hard and be the best at your role. Some nights offensively I was able to be more aggressive but other nights I just played my role."

Cole, who is entering his fourth season, averaged 6.4 points last year but continued his shooting struggles, shooting just 41 percent from the field. After strong performances against the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the playoffs, his numbers declined as the playoffs progressed. He shot below 40 percent in the conference semifinals and NBA Finals.

"He's gotten better individually for sure," Wade said. "He had a hell of a summer working out and getting prepared. Defensively, he's a monster. The next wave for him is how to be effective as a point guard and effective as a scoring guard. He's going to have to figure out the perfect way to do that. It's not always easy for guys but if he can figure it out he can be very dangerous for us."

Cole made it a point to arrive for training camp in the best shape of his career because he will be given every opportunity to unseat Mario Chalmers as the starting point guard. Chalmers was benched in Game 5 of The Finals against the San Antonio Spurs after starting every game the previous three seasons.

"I feel as prepared as I've been prepared coming into the season," Cole said. "I'm as confident as I've ever been, skill-wise and physically … Obviously, I always wanted to start. For the team success, I'm willing to play whatever role I have to play in order for us to win. I put winning before my individual goals. I always want to win no matter what."

Winning culture

The holdovers from last year's team — Wade, Cole, Chris Andersen, Justin Hamilton, Bosh and Udonis Haslem — have had little problem getting the newcomers to buy into the system.

The easiest way has been showing them the Heat's championship trophies from 2012 and 2013.

"We've got a couple things to remind them what it's about and that's those championships," Wade said. "It makes it a little bit easier to preach that culture. Guys want to win. Guys want to be a part of something special."

Wade said thus far the players have meshed.

"Everyone is fitting in," he said. "Right now, it's a feeling out process for a lot of guys coming into a new culture. I think coach is doing a great job with everybody."

McRoberts back

Forward Josh McRoberts returned to practice after missing Sunday because of a toe injury. He underwent surgery after last season and is expected to be brought along slowly.